Local government officials in Cebu are facing scrutiny after traveling abroad as Typhoon Tino swept across the province, despite a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for local officials to cancel foreign trips ahead of the storm.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla told ANC on Monday, November 10, that the agency is studying sanctions for officials who violated the travel ban.
At a Palace briefing on Monday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is determining whether the officials’ absence affected disaster response.
“Unang-una po ay kailangan munang i-assess ano ba talaga ang kanilang pakay papunta sa ibang bansa, at kung ito talaga ay nakaapekto sa mabilisang pag-aksyon para sa mga kababayan natin na nakaranas ng hagupit ng bagyo,” Castro said. “Hindi natin agad masasabi na sila ay may sala na. Kailangan pag-aralan muna.”
DILG records show that Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro approved foreign travel authority (FTA) requests as early as September. Those who left with both Baricuatro’s approval and the DILG’s clearance include Poro Mayor Edgar Rama, Tudela Mayor Greman Solante, and Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago, along with Cebu provincial board member Andrei “Red” Duterte, son of a late cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Meanwhile, several mayors from municipalities and cities left with Baricuatro’s approval but without DILG clearance, including Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco, Catmon Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon, Compostela Mayor Froilan Quiño, and San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. Borbon Mayor Noel Dotillos was scheduled to travel but canceled his trip.
The majority of the trips were scheduled from November 1 to 7, overlapping with the World Travel Market held in London from November 4 to 6. The annual event brings together professionals from the travel and tourism industries to network and attend talks.
At a press briefing on November 6, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who traveled to London with her husband, Cebu Representative Duke Frasco, and his cousin Aljew Frasco, said she attended the World Travel Market to represent the Philippines.
